SRFS Club Handbook for Player Development and Coaching Education: “A Player Centered Model” Tony Teixeira, SRFS President Table of Contents 1. “What is our mission?” pg. 1-2 2. “Factors that Influence Club/Player Development” pg. 3-5 3. The Participants: “A Player Development Model” pg. 6-37 4. Educating Volunteers: Facilitators and Coaches pg. 38-39 5. Evaluating your program: Ethical Dimensions pg. 40-43 6. Resources pg. 44-47 7. Appendix A – “The Draw” pg. 48-49 8. Appendix B – “To Throw-in or Not to Throw-in” pg. 50-51 9. Appendix C – “Formations and Positions” pg. 52-53 10. Appendix D – “Goalkeepers?” pg. 54-55 “What is our mission?” South River Future Stars’ mission is to provide a fun, safe, quality soccer experience for all youth who desire to participate which will assist in the social and physical development for children of all skill levels. It is to develop all of our players to the best of their ability to become complete soccer players with love for the game and a greater chance at future success. To promote excellence in sportsmanship and conduct in all players, coaches, referees, and parents. The mission of the US Soccer, the governing body of soccer at all levels in the US, is similar in a way, to make soccer, in all its forms, the preeminent sport in the United States and to continue the development of soccer at all recreational and competitive levels. The only difference is that their focus is on promoting the game through the development and maintenance of the National Teams Program. NJYS has been very instrumental in the development of the world’s game by producing stars such as Glenn Myernick, Bob Smith, John Harkes, Tab Ramos, Tony Meola, and on the women’s side Carli Lloyd, Heather O’Reilly, Tobin Heath, and Captain America Christie Rampone! The mission of US Youth Soccer, the largest youth soccer organization in the country (and possibly the world) with millions of children registered and countless volunteers, states that the game can be enjoyed by all children no matter their capability. Also, it is about fun and fully enjoying participation. US Youth Soccer encourages active participation by promoting and leading programs that encourage fair and safe play environments for youth while using the game of soccer as a catalyst. The player is the primary focus! “The Game for All Kids” has become the mainstream philosophy of US Youth Soccer, while the philosophy behind US Soccer’s Play Practice Play methodology at the grassroots level, children learn and develop to their full potential through game-like experiences in an enjoyable environment that supports individual growth. NJ Youth Soccer's mission is to provide fun and safe soccer experiences at all ages and abilities for the youth soccer community. The implications of all these statements are the same, in that the needs of the children participating in the game are at the forefront, not the development of winning teams or self-serving interests of adults who are in positions of leadership. Factors that influence Club Development PHILOSOPHY: A coach can be a very positive influence on a young person’s life. We as a club stress teamwork, responsibility, initiative, discipline, and a strong work ethic. Each player on the team is an essential part of the team and is our responsibility to nurture this to build a strong team. PROGRAMMING: Our goals and objectives for youth development are: Let the kids have fun! “If the kids aren’t having fun then we are doing something wrong.” This does not mean we will let everyone goof off. Nobody likes to lose and it’s not fun when you do. We learn from any losses and become better from it. Develop a Sense of Responsibility and Teamwork within the Team. Our coaches and staff will take it upon ourselves to tell the players to take responsibility for coming to practice on time and ensuring they have all their gear. We will tell the players to remind their parents about practice, games, and ensure they get THEIR PARENTS there on time! Teamwork is critical to support teammates and learn to work together as a unit. Therefore, we must support our teammates and help everyone become strong and more capable soccer players. Develop Soccer Concepts and Skills. Most players on the team have not been playing for a long time, therefore we will be working on basic concepts and rules of the game. The players will need to learn the difference between offense and defense, the different positions and their responsibilities, and teamwork and how to play the game together. As their experience and age group progress, we will add new concepts and skills to develop their skills by initiating our curriculum for player development. CURRICULUM FOR PLAYER DEVELOPMENT: SRFS has the opportunity of coaching children from age groups U-4 and up. Most practices will be held in the evenings during weekdays between the times 6 pm –9 pm. Practices run 90 minutes either twice a week or once a week depending on the availability and age group of the team. All equipment for all training coaches will be provided by the club and any safety issues should be reported so we can check and repair or replace damaged or old equipment. Our curriculum or style of play at SRFS reflects that the “team” is most important. While it may look like our main focus will be possession-based, it starts with defense and transition. Our principles of play are transitioning quickly from losing to winning the ball, gaining possession, to transitioning from having to losing the ball and regaining it back. The best time to win the ball is IMMEDIATELY after they have lost it. This encourages high pressure from the closet player or players. Once we have the ball in our possession, our focus will shift to making the BALL DO THE WORK (as the ball never gets tired) our players in possession are fresh. The opponents by chasing trying to win it back are in a moment of tiredness when they regain possession, it is at that moment when it is the best time to try to win the ball back occurs. OBSERVER MENTOR PROGRAM FOR COACHES: All new coaches will be paired up with established/veteran coaches in each age group. All practice sessions will follow an “open door” policy that encourages coaches to watch others work. EXPECTATIONS OF PLAYERS: EXPECTATIONS OF PARENTS: • Have fun!! • Have fun!! • Come to practice and games on • Have realistic expectations for time, with all your equipment, and your child. be prepared to practice. • Support your kids. Be at the • Support your teammates games for them, cheer them on, • Respect your coaches and have a good time. • Respect the other team • Don’t be late • Try your hardest. • Let the coaches coach • Support the staff and Volunteer FACILITIES/TRAINING SESSIONS: SRFS is responsible for securing the safety and maintenance of facilities and fields such as Veteran Park and more within South River that has adequate parking. Coaches will have documented Lesson Plans from a “practice journal” that is reviewed by the Director of Coaching and Player Development Coordinator, Tony Teixeira. COACHING IDENTIFICATION/STAFF EDUCATION: While scouting for qualified coaches, characteristics we are looking for include: (1) dynamic personality; (2) enthusiasm and energy; (3) maturity; (4) professionalism; (5) loyalty; (6) committed to youth development; (7) understanding and awareness of characteristics of youth. When checking credentials, we check for: (1) suitability to coach boys or girls, young or adolescent, and (2) former teachers with certificates or licenses are given extra consideration. As for staff education, some seminars will be given to inform coaches of any changes. RISK MANAGEMENT/CODE OF ETHICS: All players, parents, coaches, staff members, the administration will be given yearly contracts to sign to keep accountability for actions and any disciplinary actions needed. A PLAYER DEVELOPMENT MODEL FOR YOUTH SOCCER: THROUGH THE EARLY YEARS The New Jersey Youth Soccer Association offers ideas about player development to clubs and youth coaches to help focus on age-appropriate objectives. NJYS has only covered up to age 13 in line with US Soccer’s PDIs. They also feel these are the critical years for learning and player development, the “Golden Ages of Learning”. That is not to say that the philosophy and ideas cannot be modified to any age group and context if that age group’s characteristics are considered. They have proposed guidelines in the major components of the game: technical, tactical, psychological, or mental, and physical or fitness related. NJYS has also suggested some ideas about the learning environments. Their purpose is to recommend a framework for coordinating player development of techniques, tactical ideas that also incorporate fitness components. This framework and these recommendations will help plan various economical practice sessions containing progressions that correspond to your intentions for the season. Keep in mind: *These ideas are general. Every child is different in that each has his/her own physical and mental make-up, motivation, cultural situation, etc. Kids learn, develop, and grow at different rates! Some players may exceed expectations; others may struggle to reach them. Every day and week will be different you must be tolerant and patient of players. *It is impossible to quantify the elements of soccer. These guidelines are intended to express in a general, global way that which is appropriate soccer content to expose players to at each age. *Patience is vital. One way to consider this outline is as a source of simple objectives. These objectives should always be considered in conjunction with long-term outcomes and players’ needs – not the coaches’ needs.